Bakery tray having an adjustable merchandising window

ABSTRACT

An open top bakery tray that is stackable and nestable on trays of like design. The tray has a generally rectangular configuration including a bottom wall, end walls and sidewalls. One of the walls is cut away to define a merchandising window to facilitate the removal of materials from the tray and the viewing and inspection of such materials and the tray further includes a gate moveable between an open position in which the window is unobstructed to allow free access to the tray and a closed position in which the gate extends across the window to preclude the inadvertent displacement of merchandise from the tray.

This application claims benefit of provisional patent application No.60/696,093, filed Jul. 1, 2005, entitled BASKET HAVING AN ADJUSTABLEMERCHANDISING WINDOW.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to containers and more particularly tobakery trays or baskets which can be nested or stacked.

Background of the Invention

Containers of the nesting and stacking type are well known in the bakeryart. In the bakery industry, bake goods come in different heights andsizes such as hamburger buns, loaves of bread and cakes. It is thereforedesirable to provide a stackable tray that accommodates the varyingsizes of the baked goods. A number of multi-level stacking trays havebeen developed and at least some of the prior art trays include amerchandising window in one or more sides of the tray to facilitate theremoval of materials from the tray and the viewing and inspection ofsuch materials. While convenient, such windows allow the possibility ofmerchandise being inadvertently displaced from the tray. The windowsalso significantly reduce the strength of the tray and allow excessivedeflection of the sides defining the windows, which deflection can leadto product damage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an improved bakery tray.

More specifically this invention relates to the provision of a bakerytray having a merchandising window which may be selectively opened orclosed to facilitate loading and unloading of merchandise into the trayand preclude inadvertent discharge of merchandise from the tray.

The bakery tray of the invention is stackable and nestable on trays oflike design and has a generally rectangular configuration including abottom wall, end walls and sidewalls.

According to the invention, one of the walls is cut away to define amerchandising window to facilitate the removal of materials from thetray and the viewing and inspection of such materials in the trayfurther includes a gate moveable between an open position in which thewindow is unobstructed and a closed position in which the gate extendsacross the window. This arrangement allows the provision of amerchandising window while yet preserving the strength and integrity ofthe tray to reduce tray deflection and potential product damage.

In one embodiment of the invention, the gate is mounted for slidingmovement between its open and closed positions.

In another embodiment of the invention, the gate is mounted for pivotalmovement between its open and closed positions.

According to a further feature of the invention, the sidewalls haveupper edges that are spaced below upper edges of the end walls and themerchandising window is defined in one of the sidewalls.

According to a further feature of the invention, the merchandisingwindow is defined in each sidewall and a gate is provided in associationwith each window.

According to a further feature of the invention, the window extendsacross only a portion of the one sidewall and leaves a solid portion ofthe one sidewall adjacent the window and the gate is mounted for slidingmovement between an open position in which it is received in a slidewaydefined by the solid wall portion and a closed position in which itextends from the slideway across the window.

According to a further feature of the invention, the window extendsacross a major portion of the one wall and opens upwardly and the gateis pivotal along a lower edge thereof to a lower edge of the window andpivots upwardly as it moves from its open to its closed position.

According to a further feature of the invention, another merchandisingwindow is provided in the other sidewall extending across only a portionof the other sidewall and leaving a solid wall portion of the othersidewall adjacent the other window.

According to a further feature of the invention, the window in the onesidewall is positioned in opposition to the solid wall portion of theother sidewall and the window in the other sidewall is position inopposition to the solid wall portion of the one sidewall.

According to a further feature of the invention, each gate comprises abar and each slideway opens at an outboard end thereof in a respectiveend wall to allow insertion of the bar into the slideway.

Other applications of the present invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art when the following description of the best modecontemplated for practicing the invention is read in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawingswherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout theseveral views, and wherein:

FIG. I is a top perspective view of a multi-level tray having a slidablymerchandising window;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a multi-level tray having apivotally adjustable merchandising window;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a front wall of the multi-level traytaken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of the front wall of the multi-level traytaken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following description of the preferred embodiments is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention,its application or uses.

Referring to the drawings, a multi-level tray 10 is shown in FIG. 1.Tray 10 is open topped and has a generally rectangular configuration.Tray 10 has four vertical sides and a lower, generally planar bottomwall 20 interconnected with and extending between the four verticalsides. The four vertical sides include a front sidewall 12 extendingupwardly from a side edge of the bottom wall 20, a left end wall 14extending upwardly from an end edge of the bottom wall 20, a back orrear sidewall 16 extending upwardly from a side edge of the bottom 20,and a right end wall 18 extending upwardly from an end edge of thebottom wall 20. Sides 14 and 18 are mirror images of each other.Likewise, sidewalls 12 and 16 have the same configuration.

Tray 10 preferably has a unitary construction and can be molded from anyof a variety of known plastic materials. Bottom wall 20 may be a solidfloor or preferably perforated or cross-hatched (not shown) to provideventilation between the layers of goods and/or materials beingtransported in the tray. Front and rear sidewalls 12 and 16 have lowerheights than end walls 14 and 18. That is, the upper edges of thesidewalls 12 and 16 are spaced below the upper edges of end walls 14 and18.

Specifically, front sidewall 12 includes small full height portions 12 aproximate the corners 30 and 32 of the sidewall, vertical steps 26 atthe inboard edges of each wall portion 12 a, a first vertical step 28joined to a step 26 by a long lower edge 12 b, a second vertical step 28joined to the other step 26 by a short upper edge 12 c, and a lower edge48 extending between steps 28 and coacting with the steps to form amerchandising window 46.

A rectangular notch 36 is provided in each wall portion 12 a and acontinuous rail 38 extends along the upper edge 14 a, 18 a of the endwalls 14 and 18. Rails 38 provide a means for guiding two similarlyconfigured trays into a stacked position when the two trays are orientedat either 0 or 180° relative to one another. Horizontal surfaces 12 band 12 c engage a lower edge 44 of front and back sidewalls 12 and 16when two similarly configured trays are stacked 90° relative to oneanother.

Multiple similarly configured trays may be stacked one on top of theother. The stacking height between successive trays 10 is dependant onthe stacking orientation of the trays relative to one another. Multiplestacking heights allows differently sized goods and/or materials to bestored while utilizing the most space saving configuration of the tray.Two similarly configured trays can be positioned in an upper stackingheight so as to achieve the maximum storage volume by orienting thebaskets at either 0 or 180° relative to one another. The baskets can bepositioned in the first level stacking height by engaging a lower edgeof the left and right sidewalls 14 and 18 with rail 38 extending alongthe upper longitudinal edge of each sidewall. Likewise, two similarlyconfigured trays may also be orientated 90° relative to one another toachieve a second level stacking height. In this position, bottom edge 44of front and rear walls 12 and 16 rest on horizontal surfaces 12 b and12c of the front and rear walls.

As noted, edge 48 and steps 28 together define a merchandising window 46in sidewall 12. Merchandising window 46 facilitates removal of materialsfrom tray 10 as well as enhancing viewing and/or inspecting of productsstored in the tray. To reduce the chance of material inadvertently beingdisplaced from the tray through the merchandising window, tray 10employs a sliding gate 52 that can be selectively positioned across themerchandising window so as to act as a barrier. As shown in FIG. 1, gate52 may be alternately disposed between an open and closed position. Forexample, gate 52 associated with rear wall 16 is shown disposed in aclosed position so as to operate as a barrier to prevent material frompassing through the merchandising window. Conversely, gate 52 associatedwith front wall 12 is shown disposed in an open position wherein thegate is horizontally displaced so as to be substantially disposed withinfront wall 12 thereby enabling unimpeded access to the interior of thetray through the merchandising window.

Gate 52 has a generally elongated bar shape with the longitudinal axisof the gate being positioned generally parallel to a horizontal plane ofthe tray. Gate 52 preferably has a thickness that is less than athickness “T” of front sidewall 12. Gate 52 is preferably perforated orcross-hatched to provide ventilation and to enable at least partialviewing of the contents of the tray. Gate 52 includes a finger pocket 54recessed in an end 56 of the gate. Finger pocket 54 is preferablyaccessible from outside the basket and provides a means for actuatinggate 52 between the open and closed positions.

Tray 10 includes an elongated slideway or slide pocket 58 adapted forslidably receiving each gate 52. At least a portion of each slideway 58consists of a generally “C” shaped channel 60 as shown in FIG. 3. Theopen side of the channel 60 is preferably oriented to face outward fromthe basket so as to allow gate 52 to be visible from outside the basketwhen in the closed position. Slideway 58 is preferably sized to beslightly larger than gate 52 to allow generally unimpeded movement ofgate 52 within slideway 58.

An interior wall 62 of front sidewall 12 defines a rear edge of slideway58. A transverse wall 64 extending between an interior wall 66 of frontwall 12 and interior wall 62 defines an upper edge of slideway 58. Asecond transverse wall 68 extending between exterior walls 66 andinterior walls 62 and positioned below transverse wall 64 defines alower edge at slideway 58. Slideway 58 can be accessed frommerchandising window 46 through a rectangular shaped aperture 70provided in upstanding step 28 of front and rear walls 12 and 16.Aperture 70 preferably has the same general cross-sectional shape asgate 52.

A second aperture 72 for receiving an end 74 at gate 52 is provided instep 28 opposite aperture 70. When placed in the closed position end 74of gate 52 can be engaged with aperture 72 to prevent the end of thegate from deflecting laterally when subjected to a predetermined load.

An aperture 75 is provided in each end wall 14/18 for assembling gates52 to tray 10. Apertures 75 communicate with and provide access toslideways 58 and enable gates 52 to be slid into slideways 58 fromoutside the tray.

Note that the merchandising windows 46 are each offset with respect tothe center of the respective sidewall and the merchandising window 46 infront sidewall 12 is staggered with respect to the merchandising window46 in rear sidewall 16 so that the merchandising window 46 in the frontsidewall is opposite the solid portion 16 b of rear sidewall 16 and themerchandising window 46 in the rear sidewall is opposite the solid wallportion 12 b of the front sidewall.

Referring to FIG. 2, a second embodiment of an adjustable merchandisingwindow gate 76 is shown. A Gate 76 is positioned in each of the frontand rear walls 12/16 of the tray within a merchandising window 85. Eachmerchandising window 85 extends across a major portion of the respectivewall and opens upwardly. Each gate 76 has a generally elongate shapewith the longitudinal axis of the gate being positioned generallyparallel to the horizontal plane of the tray. Each gate 76 is preferablyperforated or cross-hatched to provide ventilation and to enable atleast partial viewing of the contents of the tray. A lower edge 78 ofeach gate 76 is hingedly mounted in the respective merchandising window85 by a pair of pins 84 extending laterally outwardly from the oppositelongitudinal ends 80 and 82 of gate. Pins 84 are engaged with a pair ofcorresponding notches 86 provided in front sidewall 12 and positionedalong an outer periphery of merchandising window 85. Pins 84 arepreferably sized larger than corresponding notch 86 so as to produce aslight interference between the pin and notch so as to maintainengagement between the pin and notch. Hingeably attaching gate 76 totray 10 allows the gate to be selectively pivoted between the open andclosed positions. For example, gate 76 associated with back sidewall 16is shown disposed in the closed position whereas gate 76 associated withthe front sidewall 12 is shown disposed in the open position.

Each gate 76 also includes a pair of tabs 86 extending laterally fromlongitudinal ends 80 and 82 of the gate. A corresponding pair of notches88 a are provided in front and rear sidewalls 12 and 16. Each of thenotches 88 is positioned on opposite sides of merchandising window 85.Tabs 84 are engageable with notches 88 for releasable retaining gate 76in the closed position. Notches 88 and corresponding tabs 84 are sizedso as to produce a slight interference fit when the tabs are engagedwith their respective notch.

The tray of the present invention is advantageous over previous traydesigns having a merchandising window in that it precludes inadvertentdisplacement of merchandise from the tray. Further, the presentinvention allows the provision of a merchandising window while yetpreserving the strength and integrity of the tray to reduce traydeflection and potential product damage. Further, the present inventionalso allows merchandising from both sides of the basket. This featuremay be advantageous when stacking multiple baskets in oppositedirections such as when consecutive baskets are oriented 180° relativeto one another.

While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment,it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thedisclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadestinterpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalentstructures as is permitted under the law.

1. An open top bakery tray that is stackable and nestable on trays of a like design, the tray having a generally rectangular configuration including a bottom wall, end walls and sidewalls, characterized in that: one of the walls is cut away to define a merchandising window to facilitate the removal of materials from the tray and the viewing and inspection of such materials; and the tray further includes a gate moveable between an open position in which the window is unobstructed and a closed position in which the gate extends across the window.
 2. A tray according to claim 1 wherein the gate is mounted for sliding movement between its open and closed positions.
 3. A tray according to claim 1 wherein the gate is mounted for pivotal movement between its open and closed positions.
 4. A tray according to claim 1 wherein: the sidewalls have upper edges that are spaced below upper edges of the end walls; and the merchandising window is defined in one of the sidewalls.
 5. A tray according to claim 4 wherein a merchandising window is defined in each sidewall and a gate is provided in association with each window.
 6. A tray according to claim 4 wherein: the window extends across only a portion of the one sidewall and leaves a solid portion of the one sidewall adjacent the window; and the gate is mounted for sliding movement between an open position in which it is received in a slideway defined by the solid wall portion and a closed position in which it extends from the slideway across the window.
 7. A tray according to claim 3 wherein: the window extends across a major portion of the one wall and opens upwardly; and the gate is pivotal along a lower edge thereof to a lower edge of the window and pivots upwardly as it moves from its open to its closed position.
 8. An open top bakery tray that is stackble and nestable on trays of a like design, the tray having a generally rectangular configuration including a bottom wall, end walls and sidewalls, characterized in that: the sidewalls have upper edges that are spaced below upper edges of the end walls; one of the sidewalls is cut away to define a merchandising window opening in the upper sidewall edge to facilitate the removal of materials from the tray and the viewing and inspection of such materials; and the tray further includes a gate moveable between an open position in which the window is unobstructed and a closed position in which the gate extends across the window.
 9. A tray according to claim 8 wherein the gate is mounted for sliding movement between its open and closed positions.
 10. A tray according to claim 8 wherein the gate is mounted for pivotal movement between its open and closed positions.
 11. A tray according to claim 8 wherein a merchandising window is defined in each sidewall and a gate is provided in association with each window.
 12. A tray according to claim 8 wherein: the window extends across only a portion of the one sidewall and leaves a solid portion of the one sidewall adjacent the window; and the gate is mounted for sliding movement between an open position in which it is received in a slideway defined by the solid wall portion and a closed position in which it extends from the slideway across the window.
 13. A tray according to claim 12 wherein another merchandising window is provided in the other sidewall extending across only a portion of the other sidewall and leaving a solid wall portion of the other sidewall adjacent the other window.
 14. A tray according to claim 13 wherein the window in the one sidewall is positioned in opposition to the solid wall portion of the other sidewall and the window in the other sidewall is positioned in opposition to the solid wall portion of the one sidewall.
 15. An open top bakery tray that is stackable and nestable on trays of a like design, the tray having a generally rectangular configuration and including: a planar bottom wall having opposite end edges and opposite side edges; end walls extending upwardly from the opposite end edges of the bottom wall and defining upper edges; sidewalls extending upwardly from the opposite side edges of the bottom wall and defining upper edges that are spaced below the upper edges of the end walls; a merchandising window in each sidewall opening in the upper sidewall edge to facilitate the removal of materials from the tray and the viewing and inspection of such materials; and a gate for each window moveable between an open position in which the respective window is unobstructed and a closed position in which the gate extends across the respective window.
 16. A tray according to claim 15 wherein each gate is mounted for sliding movement between its open and closed positions.
 17. A tray according to claim 15 wherein each gate is mounted for pivotal movement between its open and closed positions.
 18. A tray according to claim 16 wherein: each window extends across only a portion of the respective sidewall and leaves a solid portion of the respective sidewall adjacent the window; and each gate is mounted for sliding movement between an open position in which is received in a slideway defined by the solid wall portion of the respective sidewall and a closed position in which it extends from the slideway across a respective window.
 19. A tray according to claim 17 wherein: each window extends across a major portion of the respective sidewall and opens upwardly; and each gate is pivotal along a lower edge thereof to a lower edge of the respective window and pivots upwardly as it moves from its open to its closed position.
 20. A tray according to claim 18 wherein each gate comprises a bar and each slideway opens at an outboard end thereof in a respective end wall to allow insertion of the gate into the slideway. 